Improving acoustics in a school facility is crucial for architects and interior designers who work to improve school environments. Many acoustical issues can arise in classrooms like background noise, reverberation time, and signal-to-noise ratio. About 60% of school activities in the classroom utilize spoken communication and these noisy problems can cause speech intelligibility. Currently, in the U.S., classrooms can typically have speech intelligibility ratings of 75% or less, which means every fourth word is not heard or understood. This is a large communication gap so we must diligently improve this rating to ensure students are benefiting from quieter classrooms by using acoustic solutions. Children, especially those with learning disabilities or those who speak English as a second language, are at risk for not being able to hear or learn effectively if classrooms, auditoriums, libraries and even hallways are not quiet. Armacell’s ArmaComfort MTD tape is custom formulated elastomeric foam that is a highly effective sound decoupling material for walls. This fast and easy-to-install MTD tape is applied directly to the steel stud in place of resilient channel or isolation clips, and it dramatically reduces pass through noise, creating a quieter space. Sound proofing materials are rated according to their STC (Sound Transmission Class), a measure of how much sound they stop. The higher the STC rating, the more effective the measure is. Extra drywall typically only delivers 2 STC points per sheet, resilient channels gives 5-7 points and isolation clips, which are costly, only up to 11 points. ArmaComfort MTD delivers up to a 7-point improvement with far less installation labor. ArmaComfort MTD also prevents thermal bridging from occurring between the stud and the wallboard, reducing the amount of heat gain or loss from one space to the next. So, spaces aren’t just quieter they are also more comfortable. ArmaComfort MTD tape will help the knowledge transfer from teacher to student and ensure the message is heard. Read more about classroom acoustics from an article written by CISCA: http://www.cisca.org/files/public/Acoustics%20in%20Schools%20Summary%20Flyer.pdf
Guest blog courtesy of UL UL Environment continues to make improvements to its SPOT sustainable product database. SPOT is a web-based product sustainability information tool that facilitates the selection of credible green products and enables the design community to apply that information into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow. Currently featuring more than 45,00 products, SPOT database is a first of its kind tool for architects, designers and specifiers to identify products by sustainable attributes, MasterFormat product codes and building rating system credits such as LEED v4 and the WELL Building Standard™. To enhance the mobile experience, UL’s SPOT app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play . Armacell proudly features products in SPOT. Additionally, UL is launching an add-in which will enable AutoDesk® Revit® users to access product data from SPOT and assign it directly to their project. This will provide unprecedented visibility into trusted green product information, enabling greater accuracy in green building reporting and certification to regional, national and international building standards. SPOT database goes beyond traditional green certification data to include a comprehensive view of a product’s attributes through expanded product listings. The expanded listings will also include safety data, such as fire ratings and, for furniture, performance certifications and claim verifications. This data will be curated and managed by UL to give users confidence that the data is from reliable, credible sources. For more information about UL SPOT, visit spot.ul.com/greenguard .
Ensuring a playing field provides exceptional ball roll, bounce and speed can make the difference in scoring the winning point or going home after missing a shot at glory. For performance and safety, a synthetic field’s success starts under the turf. ArmaSport® turf underlayment shock pad stabilizes and cushions the playing surface providing consistent shock attenuation across the field as well as the polarity that is required by players. Our innovative solution gives athletes the ability to play their game without surface interference helping them perform like champions. ArmaSport foam products are specifically engineered for a variety of indoor and outdoor athletic fields, facilities and equipment to provide shock absorption and cushion player impact against hard surfaces. Some of the most prestigious athletic programs have chosen ArmaSport synthetic turf underlayment, such as the University of Maryland’s field hockey team , for its long last lasting performance and versatility. ArmaSport underlayment shock pads are closed cell foam manufactured in several thicknesses to meet the strictest specifications. Supplied in rolls, the long lengths and turf-carpet widths are all designed to make installation fast and easy. Our optional drainage system ensures efficient water removal during and after inclement weather to provide greater field performance, durability and longevity. ArmaSport TU2 has also been tested to FIFA 2 Star and ASTM F355 test methods. Our specially engineered Elastomeric Component Foams (ECF) are used as underlayment for fields and facilities including: Football fields Soccer fields Lacrosse fields Baseball fields Field hockey fields Multi-purpose athletic fields Armacell’s Polyolefin Component Foams (PCF) are also used by numerous manufacturers to make shock-absorbing mats and specialty padding for athletic equipment including: Wrestling mats Tumbling mats Cheerleading mats Gymnastic mats Athletic foam pads Helmet padding Golf mats Driving range mats Our ArmaSport padding is also environmentally friendly: Low phthalate products that meet the phthalate threshold requirements (
Nature vs. Nurture Insulation installed on exterior applications or systems can be subject to damage due to UV rays from the sun, humidity, moisture, repair maintenance and even animals. Premature failure of insulation due to damage from outdoor elements can result in process failures, safety concerns, energy loss, costly repairs and an increased cost due to replacing the insulation sooner than anticipated. This is cause for concern so the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE standard 90.1 mandated standards for insulation protection, pipe insulation protection and weatherproofing for ducts that are designed to protect and support the insulation from outdoor hazards and nature. Elemental and Natural Hazards Typically, insulation outside can be exposed to several threats and dangers identified below. UV degradation and solar radiation Moisture or humidity from rain, snow and sleet Mechanical abuse from repairs, tools, footsteps, linetrimmers Animal abuse (birds and other vermin) Wind or wind-blown sand Atmospheric contamination from surrounding industries, chemicals or air pollutants Organic contaminants resulting in mold growth Expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations Insulating Outdoor Mechanical Systems Properly The IECC and ASHRAE standards make it clear that installing insulation on exterior systems like line sets, HVAC systems or refrigeration piping without protection is not in compliance. ArmaFlex® Shield flexible foam insulation is a moisture-resistant and UV-resistant product with a durable protective jacket specially designed for line set, HVAC and refrigeration applications. This tough coating can take the abuse of challenging installations and stands up to the effects of weather and extreme elements like UV, heat and cold, making it a great choice for outdoor applications. ArmaFlex Shield meets the IECC code and ASHERAD standard 90.1 requirements so it is an excellent choice when selecting outdoor insulation. This low-maintenance alternative to unprotected insulation comes in coils for easy installation and also eliminates the need for adding a separate jacket while on the jobsite. Installers can also, at minimum, apply our ArmaFlex WB Finish to non-jacketed insulation on exterior applications. Armacell recommends applying two coats of WB Finish during install and recoat every 2-4 years.
A continuous coil pipe insulation with a strong protective coating for challenging applications Armacell’s new ArmaFlex® Shield flexible foam insulation is moisture- and UV-resistant with a durable protective jacket specially designed for line set, HVAC and refrigeration applications. Its tough coating holds up to challenging installations and withstands extreme elements like UV, heat and cold, making it a great choice for outdoor and roof-top applications. ArmaFlex Shield is an extension of ArmaFlex®, the world’s most recognized brand of closed-cell foam insulation, providing superior protection against thermal losses, condensation and moisture accumulation, while providing added tear resistance and UV protection right out of the box. Builders of residential and commercial spaces of all types will benefit from the long-term performance and peace of mind that ArmaFlex Shield lends to the mechanical and HVAC/R piping systems. Its moisture- and UV-resistant characteristics make it especially valuable on piping systems where there are rough installation environments and challenging weather elements that may significantly degrade the thermal performance of other unprotected insulations, leaving them susceptible to both thermal losses and fungal growth and ultimately shortening their lifecycle. When used outdoors unprotected insulation is often damaged by line-trimmers used in proximity to AC refrigeration lines. ArmaFlex Shield will protect and keep working even when landscapers come a little too close for comfort. Plumbing and refrigeration contractors will like the convenient Contractor Pack with a center opening that makes pulling long coils for a job easier than ever. It keeps the pipe insulation tangle-free clean until you use it—pull out just what you need, as you need it. ArmaFlex Shield offers: Energy saving Protection against thermal losses, condensation and moisture ingress Tear-resistant, durable protective coating UV and ozone resistant Comes in continuous coils for fast installation with fewer seams Meets IECC code requirements for outdoor insulation Meets code requirements for installation in plenums Read more about ArmaFlex Shield here .
The ideal turf-underlayment shock-absorption pad choice for exceptional sports field performance Seating more than 4,000 spectators, Kentner Stadium’s field primarily serves as the home of the three-time national champion Wake Forest field hockey team. The field was first opened in 1990, renovated in 2004 and this past summer updated renovations to its playing field surface and track. ArmaSport TU-2 turf-underlayment was chosen and installed to provide cushioning and protection for the team’s outdoor playing surface, providing consistent shock absorption across the field and from goal to goal. Ever wonder how you replace more than an acre of field hockey pitch? Watch the installation process as brand new ArmaSport underlayment and synthetic turf are rolled onto the playing surface. (Click links to see videos; Stitching Turf , Rolling Out Turf , Smoothing Seam , and Stitching and Rolling ) Using an ArmaSport pad system under turf fields ensures more consistent shock attenuation across the field than other systems. Unlike synthetic turf fields that depend on infill material, ArmaSport pad installations provide protection across 100% of the field, all the time – without loss or migration of the cushioning material to the edges. Supplied in rolls to prevent material fly-away, the long lengths, and turf-carpet widths are all designed to make installation fast and easy. And our built-in, state-of-the-art drainage system ensures efficient water removal. For more than 35 years, our foam has been the preferred turf-underlayment pad for consistent playing conditions and greater field longevity. Check back for an Armacell “Success Story” write-up soon.
By Tim Ledden - Armacell Technical Manager-Insulation Insulating plastic pipes are just as important as insulating metal pipes. Plastic piping, whether it be PE, HDPE, CPVC, PVC or PEX, is used frequently in all types of buildings and its market share continues to grow as plastic pipes are reliable, safe, cost-effective, and energy conscious building materials. Plastic is used for pipes in systems such as domestic hot and cold water, wastewater, condensate, natural gas, and chilled-water. In most of these applications, just like metal piping, plastic pipe should be thermally insulated to reduce energy consumption and prevent condensation. The importance of insulating plastic pipes Saving energy saves money and reduces a building’s carbon footprint, and insulation is the most effective method to save energy for all piping systems including plastic. Plastics have a lower thermal conductivity than metals and, given that, it is often assumed that they don’t need insulation; however, insulation applied on plastic pipes can reduce heat loss or gain by up to 75% when compared to uninsulated plastic pipes. In cold applications, insulating also protects against condensation and freezing which protects the building from damage and is required by some building codes. Elastomeric foam is ideal for insulating What is suitable and compatible insulation for plastic piping? Closed cell elastomeric foam insulation, like AP Armaflex, can safely be used on most types of plastic piping. If using liquid adhesive, like Armaflex 520, to install the insulation, it is recommended not to use the adhesive to glue the insulation directly to the pipe, but small amounts that get through the seams will not damage the pipe. AP Armaflex Black or White Lap seal are also perfect products for plastic pipes as the liquid adhesive is then only required on the butt joints. And remember…always protect the insulation with an outdoor rated covering or WB Finish when it is installed outdoors. *ABS pipe should not be insulated with AP Armaflex. Instead, UT Solaflex should be used on ABS pipe.
As the United States continues to rack up more medals in week two of the Rio Olympics, we thought we’d share another job story about the construction of the Paralympic Center in São Paulo, Brazil Challenge: Providing long-lasting thermal insulation in a hot and humid climate. Solution: HVAC experts choose AF Armaflex closed-cell insulation to prevent condensation and provide long-lasting energy savings Construction for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil has been fast and furious for the last few years in preparation for the global event starting in August. Many venues including arenas, stadiums, an aquatic center, a velodrome, the Olympic Village and Olympic Park were built just for the prestigious event. Not far away in São Paulo, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) commissioned a state-of-the-art Brazilian Paralympic Centre which has served as a training facility for Paralympic athletes practicing for the Rio Paralympics September 7-18. Armaflex Makes the Cut Armacell provided AF Armaflex® closed cell foam insulation for the chilled water system in the center. More than three kilometers (3350m) of pipe insulation and 330m² of sheet insulation was installed by Pro Dac, a local São Paulo company that specializes in mechanical HVAC installations. Specification of Armaflex* for the job will ensure condensation control on the chilled water systems and, with proper installation, the insulation should last the life of the new mechanical system. That’s performance that rivals the outstanding skill of the finely trained athletes that will compete in the facility! Read the rest of the job story here .
Pipe Insulation is an underutilized, but proven technology that saves money, reduces energy loss, controls condensation, and protects pipe from freezing. We continue to broaden access to our popular pipe insulation products. Depending on your project’s scope, you can find a selection of our core products: Polyethylene (PE) and Elastomeric (EL) foam insulation in tube form at hardware retailers like The Home Depot , Menard’s , Do-It-Best and Ace Hardware . Common pipe insulation thickness and accessories are carried in stores while additional products are made available to order online at HomeDepot.com and soon to be available on Amazon. Retailers offer several of our core brands with products to suit performance and installation needs. Our brands offered at retail: AP Armaflex® the original, elastomeric (EL) flexible closed-cell pipe foam pipe insulation for refrigeration, HVAC and plumbing. Tundra® economical polyethylene (PE) flexible closed-cell pipe foam insulation for residential heating and plumbing lines. Product categories: Pipe Insulation (available in semi-slit or self-seal) AP Armaflex (elastomeric) Tundra (polyethylene) Keep in mind selecting the right accessories plays a critical role in installation and assures performance. Fittings tees and elbows AP Armaflex Fabricated Fittings Adhesive/glue Armacell 520 BLV Tape AP Armaflex Foam Insulation Tape Common Residential Uses: For use on hot and cold water pipes–keeps hot water hot and cold water cold Insulate AC refrigeration lines outdoors and in basements, attics or crawlspaces Safe for use with heat trace cables Recommended for copper, iron, PVC, CPVC and PEX piping
Noise travels through buildings quickly as sound vibrations get passed from one structural member (drywall, stud, floor, etc.) to the next. For decades builders have employed any number of methods to “decouple” or isolate noise, most notably by installing double sheets of drywall, resilient channel, and sound isolation clips. These options are costly, tedious, and can be hazardous to install, so engineers are often tasked with finding sustainable and safe sound isolation clip alternatives . Luckily, we have a solution. ArmaComfort® MTD is a custom formulated elastomeric foam tape used to reduce the amount of structure-borne sound. When ArmaComfort MTD Tape is applied directly to steel studs it dramatically reduces pass through noise and provides excellent sound transmission isolation at mid-level to high frequencies without thermal bridging. ArmaComfort MTD meets ASTM E84 Class B and is UL classified/certified* for use in rated assemblies. Plus, it delivers a significant 7-point improvement in the Sound Transmission Class rating that the majority of alternative construction methods cannot match. A Safer Alternative Our patent-pending foam tape is not only an easy-to-install alternative to resilient channels, isolation clips or installing extra layers of drywall, it also is seen by the market as a less hazardous material to install. “Safety is a significant concern on every job site. Our ArmaComfort MTD Tape contributes to hazard reduction as it is a foam product, and not a piece of metal with rough edges, which can easily injure unprotected hands,” says Sarah Haenel, Sales and Marketing Manager at Armacell. This added benefit of reducing the risk of job site accidents shows how our solutions not only improve acoustic design, but also can positively impact safety measures. A win-win for architects, engineers, and construction site managers alike * This product has been classified by UL as to ANSI/UL 263 for Wall and Partition Facings and Accessories (CLB.R38810) in the US * This product has been certified by UL as to ANSI/UL 263 for Wall and Partition Facings and Accessories (CLBV.R38810) in Canada